Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1887-07-08
BRAZlL'S POLITICAL SYSTEM.
The Provinces Considering the Sub
ject of Federation.

According to recent advices from Pernam
buco the idea OF a federation of provinces, with
large measure of self elfgovernment for each,
| is steadily gaining adherants in that province.
| The scheme Ia one which .commends itself to
the thoughtful consideration of every Brazil.
ian, not because 1t is n step toward republi.
canism, but because IL is a necessary feature
In any genuinely representative form Of gov.
ernment A representative form which repre-
sents no independence or self government on
the part OF the persons or provinces repre-.
sented Is illogical. There can be no valid
representation where there is nothing to re-
present In this respect the political system
OF Brazil is both defective and misleading, II
Is called constitutional representative
monarchy, but in nearly every respect these
terms are misnomers. Its constitution was
the work Of Its first emperor, and was ratified
by few municipal assemblies, but Its
guarantees are yalueless and its authority
imaginary Its representative element Is con
fined to the election of Legislators by prov
inces governed by an imperial delegate and
kept in order by judges and police officials ap.
pointed by the imperial executive. In a popu,
lation of, say, IL, 000, 900, there are less than
$4,000 voters, and even their expressed will
is reversed with impunity here in the imperial
capital. The provinces have legislatures, II is
true but their powers are greatly restricted
and their recourses limited. And as for the
municipalities, they have as little clearly de.
fined local government as can be found In any
political system in the world. As for the
monarchical element, it exists In principle
and in fact, but 1T is In reality more demo
cratic than the people themselves. A thorough
remodelng Of this inconsistent, complicated
system ought not to be a difficult task, and il
ought to be accomplished within the life OF
the present emperor, for the simple reason
that his personal authority and influence are
necessary to settle questions which will never
be settled without him.
The scheme OF federation Ia, we fear.
both misleading and unnecessary The
principle involved is the necessary thing, but
that can be secured without bringing In the
disturbing idea of federation" A change in
the constitution would be required, but that
might be secured through the usual parlia-
mentarJ usages. The essential principles In.
volved are comprised in provisions for clearly
defined provincial and municipal self-govcrn.
ment a definite fiscal system in which the
provinces and municipalities shall receive
their just share of the public revenue, a clear
determination of the relationship between the
provinces and the imperial government, an ex
pressed limitation of the powers of the pro,
vinces in matters affecting the empire and Il
the imperial government In matters atfectint |
the local affairs of the provinces, and sharp |
prohibition of imperial influence in the cleo
tion of provincial officials or representatives |
to the imperiala parliament. In all this there |
is nothing Incompatible with the system under
which Brazil is now supposed TO be governed. |
- Rio F,apS